Thursday, March 7

High school students test out their robot during the FIRST Robotics regional challenge. CREDIT: FIRST Robotics

FIRST Robotics Regional Competition: More than 1,500 teens from 60 Southern California high schools will pit their 58 life-size robots against each other in the seventh annual robotics challenge. Teams of 25 students have six weeks to design, build and program their robots for the regional tourney. The winning team will advance to the national finals in St. Louis in April. The public is invited to watch the contest, tour the pits and meet the teams; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday; Valley View Casino Center, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego; free;

Chocolate Decadence & Pechanga Wine Festival: Pechanga Resort & Casino hosts two themed festivals in its ballroom on Friday on Saturday. From 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, the chocolate festival features tastings of gourmet candies, cakes, pastries and more with 30 wines and live music; $45. And from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, the wine festival will feature hundreds of varietals for tasting with food pairings by Pechanga chefs and live music by “American Idol” finalist Casey Abrams; $65;

Aaron Chang photo reception: The famed surf photographer is featured in an art show that will be celebrated with a reception at 7 p.m. Friday; exhibit continues through March 17; North Coast Rep Gallery & Cafe;, 987D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach;

Temecula Rod Run: The spring run features two days of events in Old Town Temecula. From 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, more than 500 pre-1970 classic vehicles will roll up and down Main Street. There will be live music, food booths, vendors and more. Then from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, the Show & Shine is a car show, with cars parked throughout Old Town for up-close viewing; Main Street, Temecula; free;